Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 35
Śrāddhadeva Manu’s Sons: Pṛṣadhra’s Curse and Renunciation; Genealogies of Nariṣyanta and Diṣṭa
कृशाश्वात् सोमदत्तोऽभूद् योऽश्वमेधैरिडस्पतिम् । इष्ट्वा पुरुषमापाग्र्यां गतिं योगेश्वराश्रिताम् ॥ ३५ ॥ सौमदत्तिस्तु सुमतिस्तत्पुत्रो जनमेजय: । एते वैशालभूपालास्तृणबिन्दोर्यशोधरा: ॥ ३६ ॥
kṛśāśvāt somadatto ’bhūd yo ’śvamedhair iḍaspatim iṣṭvā puruṣam āpāgryāṁ gatiṁ yogeśvarāśritām
The son of Kṛśāśva was Somadatta, who performed aśvamedha sacrifices and thus satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. By worshiping the Supreme Lord, he achieved the most exalted post, a residence on the planet to which great mystic yogīs are elevated. The son of Somadatta was Sumati, whose son was Janamejaya. All these kings appearing in the dynasty of Viśāla properly maintained the celebrated position of King Tṛṇabindu.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Ninth Canto, Second Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Dynasties of the Sons of Manu.”
FAQs
This verse states that Somadatta, by performing aśvamedha sacrifices and worshiping the Supreme Person, attained the सर्वोत्तम (highest) destination, taking shelter of the Lord of the masters of yoga.
In the dynasty narrations, such sacrifices highlight a king’s dharmic rule and devotion—showing how righteous kings used their power to worship the Supreme Lord and achieve spiritual perfection.
Even without grand rituals, one can “take shelter” by dedicating actions to Bhagavān—regular hearing/chanting, worship, and living ethically—making spiritual progress the goal of life.